Overwintering tadpoles

[Primrose]

I've heard about these but today in my mini pond I've just seen what is obviously an over-wintered tadpole who has developed four legs and almost lost its tail. In about a week it will probably be ready to migrate but how on earth will it survive if it does if we get some frosts? I have very little ground cover protection at the moment and can't think of any way of helping this little chap survive. (I'm such a big softy. I even pick up worms from pavements and put them in safe gardens to protect them!).

[Jenny Green]

I think the most you can do is put out some piles of old wood, and hopefully it can shelter in these. I have frogs in my garden despite the fact we have no pond. They live in the pile of prunings I accumulate to burn every spring. I always shift this before burning it in case anything's in there. One year I made the mistake of moving it then starting the fire where the original heap had been. Several frogs made their way back to the part of the garden they thought was a safe haven, but was now a roaring fire. We headed them all off except one, who took a very long thirty seconds to realise his old home was now ablaze. Last I saw of him he was completely black and hopping away frantically!